Just as the head teacher awkwardly stepped forward, ready with a barrage of apology to be delivered, Shawn smiled affectionately at the young girl, to everyone's greatest astonishment.
His next words did a whole lot by diffusing the tense atmosphere. "Thank you for the warmest welcome I have ever received and I'm excited to see all the young athletes in action today."
Not only did his words allay the fears of the teachers but it caused a broad smile like warm sunshine to spread across Eleanor's face in unabashed happiness.
"Daddy looks even more handsome in real life than on TV, especially when he smiles so sweetly," she couldn't help but say in her heart.
For Shawn that smile was like a warm hug around his cold heart and he couldn't help but indulge in it some more before straightening up.